Winter Term 2023/2024
Teaching period: 16.10.2023 - 17.02.2024
#530103 Post-Liberale Demokratiekonzepte für das 21. Jahrhundert? Eine kritische Lektüre jüngster Debattenbeiträge
In this reading seminar, we will read and discuss new publications on the often-invoked crisis and uncertain future of liberal democracy. What (global?) problems can be identified in so-called “Western” democracies? Is this really a comprehensive “democratic regression”? What countermeasures or reforms are necessary—and possible—to save liberal democracy?
Most of the texts are in English, but the seminar discussion can be conducted in German and English.
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Silvia von Steinsdorff
This course will not take place in the winter semester; it will be rescheduled for the summer semester 2024.
#530130 Politik im Krieg. Auswirkungen des russischen Angriffskriegs auf politische Institutionen, Entscheidungsprozesse und öffentliche Diskurse in Ost- und Westeuropa (Teil 2)
The military attack by Russian troops on the whole of Ukraine marks a turning point not only in terms of defense policy, as Chancellor Scholz announced in the Bundestag on February 27, 2022. Rather, the open, massive war in Europe has profound implications for the economic, social, and political fabric of all countries directly or indirectly affected by it. The effects of this turning point are only gradually becoming apparent—and they take very different forms and have varying degrees of severity. The project seminar offers an opportunity to examine various aspects of this turning point using examples.
We will first develop the theoretical and conceptual state of research on the connection between politics (especially democratic politics) and war: How do political actors and institutions respond to military threats? Under what conditions does “executive aggrandisement” or even a “normalization” of the political state of emergency occur? How do democratic decision-making processes change in the face of military threats? How does war/the threat of war affect existing (re-)autocratization tendencies in political regimes? On this basis, we will design student research projects that, depending on the students' prior knowledge and interests, can focus on a wide variety of aspects—from the effects of war on the political system in Ukraine to changes in the public security discourse in Germany. In part 2 of the seminar (winter semester 2023/24), these projects will be implemented, with a particular focus on discussing questions of research design and methodological approach.
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Silvia von Steinsdorff
Thursday, 14:00-18:00
#530539 BA-, MA- und DoktorandInnen-Kolloquium Vergleichende Demokratieforschung und politische Systeme Osteuropas
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Silvia von Steinsdorff
Friday, 12:00-14:00
# 530223 Does democratic backsliding and the decay of the rule of law always mean weakening judicial independence?
Within the framework of this course we will look at the definition of rule of law, democratic backsliding, and judicial independence. All these terms are used repeatedly both in the academic literature and in the media, yet it is not always clear what they entail precisely. We will seek to identify the mechanisms the courts can use to oppose democratic backsliding in the field of judicial independence and protect their autonomy. We will analyse in particular the example of Poland in order to examine whether actions undertaken by the courts and in the name of courts can be effective in slowing down the attack on judicial independence.
This course takes place within the framework of COIL project, in partnership with the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland. This means it will take place online and will be co-taught by Prof. Wojciech Ciszewski. Students will be expected to co-operate on the projects required in the course in international groups.
Lecturer: Kaja Anna Kazmierska
Wednesday, 16:00-18:00
#530205 Current Challenges to Democracy
The course delves into the pressing issues that pose significant threats to democratic principles and institutions. By examining a range of topics including post-democracy, climate change and Anthropocene, mobility and migration, anti-gender movements, radicalization of right-wing politics and populism, and digitalization, this course aims to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of the complex dynamics affecting democratic societies and invites to rethink the concepts, principles and institutions that shape liberal democratic imaginary. Throughout the course, participants of this course will be encouraged to critically reflect on the challenges posed to democracy and explore innovative ways to reimagine democratic systems in response to these complex issues. By examining the multifaceted nature of these challenges, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape in which democracy operates. Drawing upon interdisciplinary perspectives, students will be challenged to question traditional notions of democracy and engage in meaningful discussions on alternative definitions and understanding of democratic politics. By expanding our vocabulary and conceptual frameworks, the participants of this course will reflect upon the obstacles as well as possibilities for a participatory and sustainable democracy that addresses the global challenges. Through this exploration, participants will develop the analytical tools and critical thinking necessary to contribute to the ongoing rethinking of democracy in the face of contemporary challenges.
Lecturer: Dr. Hasan Ertug Tombus
Wednesday, 16:00-18:00
# 530170 Asyl, praktisch. Qualitative Methoden in der Asylverfahrens- und Fluchtforschung
Social science research on asylum procedures and flight must take the legal foundations of its subject matter seriously and understand them. As a first step, the seminar therefore provides an overview of European asylum law and its implementation in (national) asylum procedures. Building on this, we discuss the fundamentals of qualitative and interpretative methodology and focus on selected methods of asylum procedure and flight research. The goal is to apply this fundamental methodological knowledge to concrete interview and text data collected as part of a research project on the use of country of origin information in asylum procedures. Beyond this training in methodological skills, we will explore together how social science can both examine law as an empirical subject and engage in dialogue with jurisprudence as an academic discipline.
Lecturer: Valentin Feneberg
Monday, 14:00-16:00
#530102 Rule of Law and Democracy in the Western Balkans
The seminar offers students the opportunity to improve their understanding of academic and political discussions on the concept of rule of law and democracy and to foster their knowledge on political conditions in the region of the Western Balkans. They will also engage in the analysis of attitudes, behaviours and policies of political actors. These can be individuals, judges, civil society groups who engage in defence of the rule of law or politicians, parties, entrepreneurs or other individuals or groups that act against it and contribute to its decline. By doing that, the course will also look into the EU's enlargement conditionality and the impact that this has on the region and vice versa. Students are supposed to develop own projects in teams. The course will include an excursion with a bloc seminar at UC Louvain and site visits to Brussels.
The course will partly take place in collaboration with the UC Louvain as a contribution to the Circle U alliance.
Lecturer: Dr. rer. pol. Claudia-Yvette Matthes
Tuesday, 10:00-12:00
#530021 Grundkurs Politisches System der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Lecturer: Dominika Tronina
Thursday, 16:00-18:00
#530021 Grundkurs Politisches System der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Lecturer: Lennard Gottmann
Tuesday, 12:00-14:00
#530021 Grundkurs Politisches System der Bundesrepublik Deutschland
Lecturer: Prof. Dr. Silvia von Steinsdorff
Friday, 10:00-12:00